In the skies—Yveltal.
On the ground—the berserk Zygarde.
Two legendary Aura Pokémon stared each other down from afar, a suffocating tension hanging in the air.
It was, undeniably, a classic scene.
Dylan didn't hesitate to take out his camera and snap a picture. Yes, he would keep this one well preserved.
After all, this black-and-red Zygarde was a true one-of-a-kind. Normally, Zygarde's color scheme was black and green. Shiny Zygarde, white and green.
But this corrupted black-and-red variant? It had only ever appeared in the anime, a result of Team Flare's brutal experiments.
Ding~ Zygarde (50% Forme), Dragon/Ground-type, Order Pokémon
Ability: Aura Break (Swarm Change)
Signature Moves: Thousand Arrows, Land's Wrath, Outrage, Earthquake, Glare, Safeguard...
Description: A form comprising about half of Zygarde's body. Tasked with monitoring the ecosystem. (50% Forme)
The Rotom Dex dutifully gave its report.
"This is just the 50% form?" Lillie looked puzzled as she gazed down at the dangerous, rage-filled serpent. "So Zygarde isn't in its full form right now?"
"Zygarde's a very special Pokémon," Dylan explained in detail.
"It monitors the balance of ecosystems, so to do that more efficiently, it splits itself into countless cells scattered all over the world."
"Those cells can't battle, nor do they have will. But unlike the cells, Zygarde's 'Cores'—like that little worm earlier—are basically its brain."
"Cores don't fight either, but they can summon cells to combine into higher forms—like this 50% form," Dylan continued. "That's thanks to Zygarde's special ability: Swarm Change."
In the games, Zygarde had two possible abilities in its 50% form: Aura Break or Power Construct (Swarm Change).
Swarm Change triggered when Zygarde's HP dropped below half, allowing it to become its Complete Forme.
But that was just a game mechanic. In reality, Zygarde could transform regardless of HP thresholds—it was innate, not an ability requirement.
"Amazing..." Leaf murmured, genuinely in awe. "Can't believe there's a Pokémon like that."
"Big brother," Lillie turned to Dylan, "do you think Zygarde can beat Yveltal?"
"Who knows," Dylan shrugged. "Each region's third legendary is usually designed to suppress its region's main legendaries—like Rayquaza countering Groudon and Kyogre, Kyurem fusing with Reshiram or Zekrom, or Necrozma absorbing Solgaleo or Lunala."
"Zygarde's ability, Aura Break, is specifically made to counter Yveltal and Xerneas."
Aura Break: Reverses aura effects and reduces their power.
And only Yveltal and Xerneas had aura-based abilities in the first place.
So it was very clearly built to counter them.
Aura abilities were a major buff for Yveltal and Xerneas—but against Aura Break, those abilities not only lost their effect, they became debuffs.
In other words, hard counter.
But unlike the games, in the real world Pokémon could choose whether or not to activate their abilities.
And clearly, upon seeing Zygarde, Yveltal's black aura faded back into its body.
Smart bird. Clearly it had been burned before.
SKREEEE!
Yveltal let out a low cry.
ZEDOU!!
But the berserk Zygarde's mind was long gone. It screamed into the sky.
The ground trembled as black vines erupted, destroying the canyon terrain.
The six hexagonal cores on Zygarde's neck flared with a sinister red light.
A barrage of black-red arrows burst forth—Thousand Arrows!
This was Zygarde's signature move—designed to strike flying opponents.
Unlike standard Ground-type attacks, Thousand Arrows ignored immunities and could knock airborne Pokémon to the ground.
SKREEE!
Yveltal's eyes turned icy. That damn snake actually attacked it?
Whether it was insane or not, Yveltal wasn't going to let it go.
Crimson light flared across its wings—Oblivion Wing!
BOOOOM!
Thousand Arrows clashed with Oblivion Wing in a dazzling explosion.
The two beams lit up the sky, neither gaining the upper hand.
"Only Thousand Arrows and Land's Wrath, huh. Looks like it hasn't reached its Complete Form yet and can't use its full signature moves."
Dylan glanced over the data. Zygarde had four signature moves—more than almost any Pokémon.
According to the anime, this Core with a blue belly was Z2. The other was Z1—aka Squishy.
As the shockwave faded, Yveltal dove toward Zygarde, clearly enraged.
And the berserk Zygarde was more than happy to oblige, launching forward with a snarl.
Blue flames of Brave Bird ignited around Yveltal, while Zygarde's body glowed with the white spiral energy of Giga Impact.
BOOM!
The two collided with a thunderous crash, shockwaves tearing through the canyon.
Both were sent flying backward—but neither gave an inch.
The moment they regained balance, they charged again.
A raging bird and a berserk snake locked in a ferocious battle.
"Yveltal really is strong."
Far off, Lysandre and his team had retreated to a safe distance, watching the clash.
Lysandre laughed loudly. That was power. That was the power to achieve his dream.
"Xerosic, can we push Zygarde further? It's not quite enough to suppress Yveltal yet. Zygarde should be stronger than this."
Lysandre turned to his scientist.
"It can be done," Xerosic frowned. "But if it goes any further, we'll lose control completely."
If Zygarde got any stronger, they wouldn't be able to rein it in—not just Yveltal, even they themselves would be in danger.
"Fine. Then we wait."
Lysandre nodded. Too risky for now.
But—
"Didn't think Team Flare actually found Zygarde."
A clear male voice interrupted.
A magnificent white dragon descended behind Lysandre's group—Reshiram.
Riding on its back, Dylan stepped down, eyes calm.
Lysandre turned immediately, frowning deeply as he recognized the newcomer.
Champion Dylan of Kanto.
Lysandre didn't normally pay attention to current events, but even he had heard about Dylan defeating Kalos's former Champion, Diantha.
"Champion Dylan," Lysandre greeted.
"Didn't expect to meet you here. What a surprise."
They had briefly met before, in Sunrise Café.
But Lysandre never expected to see him again—especially not now, and not like this.
This was trouble. If the Kalos League found out they were experimenting on Zygarde… it would be over.
"I didn't expect you either, Mr. Lysandre," Dylan smiled faintly.
"The famously charitable man… turns out to be quite dangerous behind closed doors."
"Controlling Zygarde by machine? That takes guts."
Lysandre's aides stiffened.
"Care to explain yourself, Mr. Lysandre?"
Lysandre said nothing.
"No?" Dylan sighed. "That's a shame. Guess I'll have to take you all to see Officer Jenny."
He pulled out a Luxury Ball.
Morgrem appeared, holding a tissue in one hand, a phone in the other. Eyes watery—clearly watching a tearjerker again.
Once it realized where it was, it quickly scurried behind Dylan, frantically dabbing at its eyes.
"…"
Lysandre and his men looked at the odd little Pokémon.
He was going to use that to stop them?
"Dylan… do you know what this world is really like?"
Lysandre's deep voice rang out.
He was starting to doubt the rumors. Maybe Dylan wasn't just another flashy trainer.
"I'm listening." Dylan ruffled Morgrem's hair.
He wasn't in a hurry. There was still time.
Zygarde and Yveltal were still tearing into each other in the background.
"The world… I once believed it was clean. People were like Kalos's legendaries—there were givers, and there were takers."
"I wanted to be a giver too."
Dylan nodded. The giver and taker analogy clearly referred to Yveltal and Xerneas.
And to be fair, Lysandre had indeed been a philanthropist once.
"But there are fools who only take and flaunt their power. Such filth must be purged."
Lysandre's voice grew heavy.
"Sure, the world has plenty of idiots. So?" Dylan replied casually.
"Lazy parasites will only devour our future. If things go on, this world will grow uglier, and conflict will never end."
His tone grew passionate.
"Three thousand years ago, Kalos's king created a weapon to erase the filth of his era. And now, I will follow in his footsteps!"
"You've lost your mind," Dylan said calmly.
"So you still don't understand me, Champion Dylan?"
Lysandre wasn't surprised by the reaction. Most people probably thought he was mad.
But he believed himself more lucid than ever.
"The world has limits. People and Pokémon? Too many. When there's only one of something, it can't be shared. And what can't be shared will be fought over. That leads to loss."
He grew solemn.
"So I want to create a world without conflict, where people can live beautifully. To do that—I must reduce the number of lives."
Dylan chuckled.
So this guy had been driven into becoming a population-control zealot by the actions of the greedy and stupid.
No wonder.
"You're wrong. Killing solves nothing. People are complex. The best we can do is guide them."
He patted Morgrem, who sniffled and reluctantly handed him the phone, then put on its Mossy Mask and stepped forward.
"I see."
Lysandre pulled out a Poké Ball.
A Gyarados appeared before him.
Lysandre raised a Mega Stone, and evolution light shone.
A fierce Mega Gyarados roared.
"Seems I'll have to defeat you after all, Champion Dylan!"
Hmph!
That little crybaby with the tissues? There's no way it can beat my Mega Gyarados!
Lysandre was confident.
He would win!
(End of Chapter)